MISSIVES FROM THE APOTHECARY:
Herbal Hangover Remedios
December 31st, 2024
by Kamden Cornell, our head herbalist and owner of Heart & Vine Apothecary
It's that glorious time of the year when we tend to drink too much and regret it the next day! Luckily for us, there are some herbal remedies that might just help our livers, kidneys, and brains from calling it quits after the New Year.
Aloe Vera- The gel from aloe vera leaves (not the skin!) is a great re-hydrator and internal moisturizer (demulcent). Simply snap a leaf off of your house plant and make a lengthwise incision from the tip to the base, then use your thumb to strip the gel from inside. Take this, put it into 32 ounces of water, and drink it throughout your day. If you can, try to drink it within the first two hours of waking up.
Basil- Not only does basil lift the mood and make everything seem a little brighter, it also help to balance our gut microbiome and helps to alleviate symptoms of nausea and headache. It is an anti-inflammatory herb that loves to come to our aid when we’re feeling our worst and, sometimes, those moments are brought on after a long night of champagne, tacky New Years glasses, and poorly chosen karaoke songs in front of co-workers. If that resonates with you (or even if you’re just feeling icky because life is hard sometimes), basil is your best friend!
Burdock Root- This Jupiterian wonder plant is one of my favorite go-to herbs for any sort of liver distress. Not only does it stimulate the liver to do its job, it also helps to protect liver cells from oxidative damage and from damage done by all the fatty foods we tend to eat over the holidays. Mix it with a little yellow dock and cinnamon to help balance blood sugar and help your gut get back to business as usual. You’ll want to decoct this, so simmer it at a low temperature for about 20 minutes in a pot with the lid on. If it looks like you’re drinking bog water, you’re doing it right!
Lemon- A good, old-fashioned cup of water and lemon juice might be just what the (herb) doctor ordered if you’re feeling nauseated and poorly after the ball drops. Lemon helps with the uptake of other vitamins and minerals, so will make any herbal concoction you’re taking more useful, and helps to detoxify the body more quickly and efficiently, meaning your hangover might be shorter with a shot of tangy, lemony goodness.
Nettle Leaf- I don’t often think of an herb as a cure-all, but nettle leaf is about as close as an herb can get to being one. Though it doesn’t lend itself to cuddling on the couch, its nourishing, anti-inflammatory nature and its moisturizing action in the kidneys make nettle a lovely hangover ally. You can also drink as much as you’d like without worry, as it is also one of the safest herbs to take. Overindulgence can also make some people more prone to creating kidney stones, which nettle leaf helps to fight against! It's a real winner of a plant.